Albemarle’s Matt Crist earned first team All-West Central Division honors Friday afternoon and then quickly showed exactly why Friday night. The sophomore dished out four assists and a goal as the Patriots pulled away for a 13-8 victory over Charlottesville in the division tournament title game.
“We don’t have one star, we have plenty of guys that can dodge, feed and shoot so if you stop one guy we have plenty of guys who can put the ball in the net,” Crist said. “If you try and lock down one that opens someone else up.”
Charlottesville did a good job tying up Albemarle midfielder Ryan McCollough, who finished with a goal and two assists, but couldn’t contain Crist and fellow attackman Stephen Mastropaolo. The big senior poured in four goals and notched an assist for Albemarle. Ben Kyriacopoulous finished with two goals and two assists to round out an incredible night for the Patriots’ attack. The offense did an excellent job of holding possession too, as keeper Jake Huber needed just five saves on the night to preserve the victory.
Charlottesville, who also advances to the West Central section playoffs and will face Deep Run next week, got a Herculean effort from Casey Devine with five goals while Jack McCarthy had two goals and an assist.
Charlottesville coach Drew Craft, who’s squad has lost three times to AHS now, saw the battles with the Patriots as an advantage.
“We’re better prepared for continuing on in the postseason,” Craft said. “I think they’ve made us a better team. Tonight was a situation where we had our opportunities and it was there for us. We’re still trying to learn how to win the tight games — they know how.”
Austin Hall had 10 saves in the cage for the Black Knights
Both squads will participate in the West Central Section tournament next week.
